How Long Do You Have To Be Proving Yourself?

I've previously mentioned Austin's Kleon's quote (which is on its own a conclusion brought out by Ann Packer's words): "Let go of the thing that you’re trying to be (the noun), and focus on the actual work you need to be doing (the verb)" . Just do the art and forget about being an artist. But does that work? In general: absolutely so. If you draw, you're an artist. If you run, you're a runner.…